Your Somerset Glos and Wilts Wedding news and ideas from around the county

Enjoy your own Regency adventure on a Jane Austen holiday in Bath

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, The Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel has announced a series of exclusive events and experiences to honour the iconic author, in partnership with Strictly Jane Austen, a division of Bath-based travel specialists ECT Travel. Over the course of two six-day programmes planned for spring and autumn 2025, the elegant five-start hotel in the heart of Georgian Bath will be filled with the spirit of Jane Austen as guests look back on her life and time in the very surroundings where she shaped several of her most significant works. Literature enthusiasts from around the world are invited to take a deep dive into Austen's world.

Green I dos: How to plan a sustainable wedding

The carbon footprint of a wedding in the UK is equivalent to driving a car around the world twice – both create 14.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Ahead of wedding season, sustainability experts from BusinessWaste.co.uk teamed up with leading wedding planner Georgie Mitchel from Georgina Rose Events to share the best ways to make a wedding more sustainable, while also saving some money. Georgie says: "Having been involved in hundreds of weddings, it's hard to see the amount of waste that is produced from that one day. However, it's so good to hear that couples are looking at ways to be more green! Here are my tips for having a sustainable wedding day."

The Speech Surgery: too many thank yous? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy explores this

The Speech Surgery: too many thank yous? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy explores this here, ready now...I've written my bride speech but almost three quarters of it is 'thank yous'. Is that right? The thank yous are obviously very important but you also need to be wary of turning your speech into one long tedious list. For guests, thank yous are really only interesting if 1) they're personally getting thanked or 2) the thank yous are entertaining, from-the-heart and feel more than a cut and paste job...

Five ways to beat a wedding hangover

Weddings are notorious for booze with 50% of people admitting they wouldn't be happy to attend a wedding without alcohol. With an expectation for heavy drinking at most celebrations, lots of dancing and a late night, wedding guests often wake up feeling worse for wear. Those suffering the morning after a wedding can ease the pain with simple hacks, including drinking a pint of water before bed and sleeping on their left side. Nausea, thirst and aches can also be alleviated by having a lie-in, which helps to limit fatigue and irritation the next day.

Wedding dog chaperone service Fetch and Flourish unleashes canine happiness

Hannah Viney founded Bristol start-up Fetch and Flourish with the ethos of unleashing canine happiness! Although offering walking, sitting and boarding services, Hannah specialises in wedding dog chaperone services, and supporting parents-to-be with dog-care respite as they welcome a new baby to the family. Having worked in a corporate PR environment for most of her career (including owning an award-winning agency), Hannah always believed dogs were the happiness she came home to after work never believing she could actually merge the two! But eight months ago, after embarking on a course to become a Guide Dog Puppy Raiser, she realised pup Anne was giving her more fulfilment and enjoyment than her existing business, and the rest is history.

UK vs US Brides: Wedding expert reveals 5 ways we differ

It's time to settle the score: do UK brides really do it better, or are our American cousins stealing the show? Let's dive into the wedding warzone and explore five spicy differences that set us apart! According to a survey conducted by the UK's largest wedding venue collection, the Gilchrist Collection, there are some key differences in the ways Brits plan their big day, compared to that of Americans. Samantha Gilchrist, the owner of the Gilchrist Collection, has had the pleasure of helping thousands of engaged couples with their wedding, across 12 venues, both in the UK and US.

Leigh Court, Bristol, announces new partnership with award-winning wedding caterer

Leigh Court, Bristol, has announced a new partnership with award-winning wedding caterers Epic Catering. Based in Cardiff, Epic Catering is renowned for its chef-driven, culinary excellence and has earned a stellar reputation for crafting remarkable culinary experiences to each event's unique requirements. Bristol wedding venue Leigh Court knows food plays a pivotal role in the enjoyment of wedding celebrations and this was key to their decision to partner with Epic Caterers, in addition to the desire to provide outstanding and memorable dining experiences for all guests.

Here are 10 must-have items to include in a wedding bathroom basket

Luxury bathroom experts at Posh.co.uk have shared ten must-have items to provide to make sure guests are well taken care of. Wedding bathroom baskets can be a really nice touch for couples to show their guests they care by providing them with everything they need for a comfortable evening. Including items like safety pins, deodorant, body tape and antihistamines will mean that guests won't have to worry about a thing. Andy Ellis from Posh.co.uk said: "Wedding bathroom baskets can be a really lovely touch at a reception by providing guests with all of those small but important items that they may not necessarily be able to bring with them.

The Speech Surgery: timings!

Unsure of when to have the wedding speeches? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches has the answer: In the US, speeches are just as common at the rehearsal dinner (the formal dinner prior to the wedding that the 'top table' are invited to) as the wedding day itself. At many British weddings, the speeches are scheduled before the wedding meal; the idea that everyone is officially welcomed to the wedding and the speakers are quickly able to relax (and tuck into the free wine!).

Wedding day wines from leading English wine producer Gusbourne

English wine producer Gusbourne, has a stunning range of the finest vintage sparkling and still wines to elevate any wedding providing guests with an array of exquisite drinks that complement every element, from the welcome drinks to the wedding breakfast and toasts! With Gusbourne wines, every pour becomes a celebration of love and new beginnings, ensuring your wedding day becomes a truly unforgettable affair, brimming with sophistication, charm, and cherished memories. For a spectacular wedding reception, fill your guests' glasses with the exquisite Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2018, a sparkling masterpiece that exudes elegance with its delicate bubbles and refreshing, crisp notes. As guests raise their glasses to toast the happy couple, each sip is vibrant and intense, setting the tone for an evening of celebrations.

New restaurant opens at Hotel Indigo Bath

A stunning new restaurant is now open at Hotel Indigo Bath. Located on the ground floor with an outdoor terrace, Brasserie Beau is set within the Grade I listed Georgian building, which is also home to The Elder restaurant, independently run and owned by multi-award-winning restaurateur Mike Robinson. Brasserie Beau celebrates the best of Britain, using only the finest British ingredients. The restaurant, which has 100 covers, is open seven days a week from 12pm to 9:30pm offering visitors a sanctuary where they can eat, drink, and unwind away from the bustling city centre. Bath restaurant, Brasserie Beau champions wild food and supports small producers, ensuring that the menus evolve daily, guided by the seasons and the availability of ingredients. Executive Chef Liam Goldstone

Biggest wedding faux pas to avoid on your big day

With more than half (53%) of married Brits confessing to having wedding day regrets, wedding expert and CEO of the UK's largest collection of wedding venues, The Gilchrist Collection, Samantha Gilchrist shares her thoughts on the biggest wedding faux pas' couple should steer clear of to guarantee wedding day success. "You've planned everything down to the tiniest detail and finally get to enjoy your day, why risk something spoiling it? While some of these things are a little outside your control, it's important to let your wedding planner and venue know what your boundaries are, and the things you would find unacceptable, were they to happen on your big day. They'll be able to support you in handling issues both ahead of time and on the day itself.

Celebrate Bridgerton's return with The Francis Hotel's Regency Experience

Hurrah! Part two of our beloved Bridgerton has finally hit our screens! Bridgerton, a beloved cult classic, captured hearts upon its release and has now become Netflix's most-watched series, with a staggering 41% of subscribers tuning in to its last series. Fans of the hit period drama filmed in the fair city of Bath can truly immerse themselves in the Regency era during a stay at The Francis Hotel. The city of Bath is home to many iconic spots from the show, including Modiste's dress shop, Lady Danbury's townhouse, and Gunter's tea shop. From the cobbled and picturesque Abbey Green, which stood in for a market square in the series, to The Holburne Museum, which acted as the entry for the opulent ball scenes, guests will be able to recognise many of the famous sites that take place on Bridgerton. Fans may even take a visit to the home of the Featheringtons, No.1 The Crescent which in real life is a museum dedicated to the period.

These are the most popular 'first dance' songs of 2024, as online searches soar!

Scraping over 350 'First Dance' playlists on Spotify and analysing the 12,000 tracks that featured on them, Diamonds Factory ranked the songs that featured the most to determine the most popular first dance song of 2024. 60 years on, and Etta James' At Last is the most popular first dance song of 2024. The data revealed that Etta James' 'At Last' is the most popular first dance song for couples to choose for their wedding, with the song featuring in a whopping 46 'first dance' playlists. Regardless of the song being released over 60 years ago, Etta's love song is still proving to be a timeless classic for couples.

The Speech Surgery: does my wedding speech have to be funny?

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: I'm not funny. Does my wedding speech need to be? I've heard some lovely speeches that haven't contained any humour, but here's the thing...they are the exception to the rule. Nearly every speech is better if it contains a little humour. FACT. Generally, folk from the UK and Australia want their speeches to have a lot of humour in them, while clients from other parts of the world, namely the US, lean towards a sweeter speech, with lighter elements, as opposed to all-out funny.

6 bridesmaid proposal ideas from Getting Personal

Once you've said yes to your future spouse, it's time to recruit your future bridal party. To pop the question you can keep it short and sweet or go with something a little more elaborate. A bridesmaid proposal is the perfect way to ensure they know their special role in your life and, more importantly, on your big day itself. There has been an 85% increase in Google searches for 'bridesmaid proposal ideas'¹ over the past year, therefore gifting experts at Getting Personal have shared 6 bridesmaid proposal ideas for those needing a little inspiration for asking their bridesmaids to be part of their bridal party.

Enjoy a Great British summer wedding at Heritage Parks

It's fair to say we are all eager for the pleasures of summer after a slightly underwhelming spring. Nothing is more quintessentially British and charming than celebrating longer days, sunshine, and warmer weather (however long it lasts!). Whether you're tying the knot at the historic Temple of Minerva or amidst the picturesque scenery of Parade Gardens, a British Summer theme really sets the perfect tone for your reception! Our Heritage Parks are a beautiful wedding backdrop in summer, when the plants are in full bloom. At the Temple of Minerva, decorate with classic bunting, which will flutter in the breeze, while your guests dine. Serve up a nostalgic feast with Pimm's and cucumber sandwiches, sausages rolls, and strawberries and cream – all presented on vintage china.

Couples counsellor shares 5 key boundaries to set

As technology brings us closer together than ever, it also has changed how relationships work, from meeting your significant other through an online dating app to having the ability to contact other people instantly at your fingertips. Smartphones have revolutionised communication - but do they strengthen or strain romantic relationships? With this in mind, the smartphone experts at Compare and Recycle have surveyed 2,000 people, delving into the complex world of smartphones. They discovered how many Brits trust their partners with phone passcodes, as well as partnering up with couples counsellor, Susan Leigh, to provide healthy passcode-sharing tips for couples.

Old Bridge provides a glorious backdrop for your special day

This 16th-century manor and mature gardens provide a glorious backdrop to your special day. Built in the local honey-coloured ham stone, the house is close to the venue's marquee and is integral to the whole ambience. The gardens, available for guests to enjoy, are dominated by a massive 400-year-old sweet chestnut tree, from which there hangs a triple seat swing where you can capture some memorable photos with your photographer. The venue is also blessed with formal lawns, rose beds and colourful borders. In addition there's a wooded area with gravel paths and a small stream flowing past weeping willows, and all the mature trees are up-lit at night.

True costs of saying 'I do' revealed by the experts

Recent research by Hodge reveals the dream of getting married can come with a hefty price tag, reaching more than £20,000. Hodge dived into the averages of how much each part of a wedding costs, revealing that food and the honeymoon were the two most expensive parts. When it comes to wedding attire, couples spare no expense to look their best on their special day. According to Hodge's research, the average cost of wedding outfits in the UK is substantial. For instance, the engagement ring alone sets couples back around £1,948 on average, surpassing even the cost of the bride's dress, which averages £1,500. But, the wedding bands cost substantially less, on average couples only spend £1,000 for both rings.